Page 67 of Triumphant Kings

Life is good. And when life is good for too long, that means the other shoe is going to drop at any moment.

People like Bradly Jones don’t just allow anyone to best them. He’s not the kind of person to take what Collin and I have done lying down.

We’ve made a fool out of him. He’s going to want his revenge eventually.

Collin says he’s subdued. But for how long?

He’s the kind of monster who waits until his victims are happy, lost in their own little world, just like we’ve been, not paying attention to anything but the thing they love the most, blind to the rest of the world. Then, they strike when your guard is down.

I can’t let that be me. I won’t let him get the better of me.

But isn’t that what he’s already doing?

Over the past month, I’ve been so stressed out about when he’s going to make his next move that it’s affecting my health.

My sleeping schedule is fucked up, I have no appetite anymore, and when I do manage to eat, I can hardly keep anything down.

It’s getting harder and harder to keep it from the guys. I’ve gone from eating around them and getting sick over it later to turning food down because I’m just not hungry.

I can tell they’re starting to suspect something is wrong. I’ve become desperate, and I’m sick with myself over it, because when one of them asks, I tell them it’s nothing, kiss them, and one thing leads to another. I distract them with sex to get them to forget about it, until the next time.

I know I should talk to them, tell them what's going on. I hate lying; they don’t deserve it. We’ve had too many lies and secrets to last a lifetime.

But I can’t do it. I can’t fuck up the good we have right now.

Things between Preston and Declan are good, more than good. Seeing them happy and together makes me happy.

I’ve got a good thing going between me and each of the guys individually. I’m determined to give each of them equal time while still making time for my friends.

If I tell them what's going on inside my head, it’s only going to worry them and pop the little bubble we’ve worked so hard to build.

And I can’t tell Mom. She would worry, and she doesn’t need that kind of stress on her right now.

She’s still in the newlywed stage with Mark. She deserves to be happy.

No. I won’t let my own fucked up mind put any stress on anyone else; I refuse to be a burden.

I’m going to be an adult and talk to my therapist. Maybe she can help me figure out what to do. Plus, she can’t tell anyone anything I tell her, right?

My growling stomach pulls me out of my own thoughts, making me groan. “Sadie, are you okay?” Emma asks with concern.

I force a smile on my face. “I’m fine. Just hungry.” I huff out a laugh. “Good thing it’s lunch, am I right?” I slip that cheery mask on as I loop my arm through hers.

“Yes, thank god. I’m starving.” Alice moans.

“You’re always hungry." Mia laughs. “And tell me why I think it’s so hot?”

I can’t help but smile at my two best friends. Seeing their relationship blossom has been amazing. It’s still new, but the two of them are crazy about one another. I’m just glad Alice opened her eyes and saw just how perfect the two of them are together.

“You two are weird.” Emma laughs. “But yes, I could use some food.”

As we walk towards the lunch room, I’m hit with a wave of dizziness, my body swaying into Emma.

We stop as she catches me. “Wow, Sadie, are you okay?” She examines my face. “You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine.” I swallow down the nauseous feeling. “Like I said, I’m just hungry. Get some food in me and I’ll be good to go.”

“I think more food is the last thing you need.” My spine goes stiff, and the nausea increases. “Are you pregnant?" Tina asks. “Because it looks like you're eating for two.”

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